Tukwila Police Department offers residents security mailboxes at discount to help prevent mail theft

TUKWILA, Wash. — In an effort to help reduce mail theft, the Tukwila Police Department announced Friday it will offer security mailboxes to Tukwila residents at a discounted rate.

Officials said it was part of a new crime prevention program in the city.

High-security mailboxes were purchased for $108, which is steeply discounted, allowing interested residents to get the mailboxes at reduced cost, police officials said.

However, the mailboxes are only being offered to residents without cluster/shared-style mailboxes in their neighborhood, police said.

People whose mailboxes are on a public right of way will also have the option to have the mailboxes installed by the City of Tukwila Public Works, police said.

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Those who are interested in the program will need to fill out an online application, which can be found at http://TukwilaWA.gov/mailbox.

Once that application is approved, the Police Department said individuals will be contacted for payment and pickup arrangements.

In a post on the Police Department's Facebook page, an official it said this about mail theft:

You hear many stories about corporate hacks, social networking scams and online threats putting your identity at risk. Although mail theft may seem quite tame at first glance, the majority of known ID theft is perpetuated via low-tech methods; stolen wallets, stolen trash and stolen mail.

Mail theft is a common way that identity thieves can steal your identity; career crooks make a stable living from snatching letters, bills and junk mail. Mail theft is highly under-reported because most people don't realize they have been victimized.

Information that can be collected from stolen mail:

• Name and address
• Social Security number
• Telephone numbers
• Email address(es)
• Credit card and bank account information
• Pre-approved credit card offers
• Employment history

How can stolen information be used?

• Identity theft
• Employment-related fraud
• Loan fraud/payday loan fraud
• Bank fraud
• Tax refund fraud
  

Cox Media Group